The Best Places to Visit in Malta – 20 Island Hotspots to See

This guide to the best places to visit in Malta highlights 20 attractions that span the entire island, showing there’s more than just a short adventure on this small island.

When you visit Malta, you’ll find a tiny landmass big on nature, centuries-old culture and fascinating history, and the ideal destination for a road trip.

Wedged between southern Italy and the coast of North Africa, Malta is easily overlooked in favour of its popular neighbours, except you’ll find more to see, do and experience here than you first thought.

A Brief History of Malta

Malta was once occupied by the Arabs for over 200 years, became a part of the Roman Empire, and was later ceded to the Knights of St John for protection, who transformed it over 268 years with baroque architecture, palaces, churches, fortifications and aqueducts.

The Knights protected the island from the Ottoman Turks before it fell briefly to French rule with the arrival of Napoleon in 1798. Malta then called upon the British for assistance, becoming a part of the British Empire. However, its strategic location and alliance meant Malta also suffered heavily during World War II – making it one of Europe’s most heavily bombed areas. 

Malta gained independence in 1964 and later joined the EU in 2004.

In short, Malta once adopted a Semitic language (which is still prevalent today), has elements of Italian culture and cuisine due to it’s proximity to Sicily, saw the birth of Christianity with the arrival of the Romans (the island has over 360 churches), changes to legal and education systems with the arrival of the French and vast changes in the way it was administered because of the British, alongside adopting English as the second official language.

Visiting Malta – Itinerary and Planning

Malta today is an island for those looking for a cultural trip. One that draws you into days of exploration and in a VERY accessible country to travel around and take in the major highlights, as you can see from the answers to some common questions about Malta below.

At the heart of tourism in Malta is the sheer variety of things to see, places to go, historical points of interest, attractions and viewpoints. The tucked-away, lesser-known corners of Malta can only be reached by explorative travel.

Where is Malta located?

The country of Malta is an archipelago of three islands in Europe, located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily, Italy, and north of the African countries of Libya and Tunisia. The three islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino are all open for exploration. Locals live on Malta (the biggest island) and Gozo, with Comino being a nature reserve known for its bird population.

How big is the island of Malta?

Luckily Malta’s small size of around 316 square kilometres makes it all the more accessible to explore. Such a size is perfect for long coastal walks or a leisurely road trip.

How many days do I need for Malta sightseeing?

With neighbouring Gozo and Comino islands also topping the list of places in Malta to visit, you might need more than a long weekend for your trip to Malta. It deserves a lot more of your time, although a four-day trip will enable you to cover a lot of ground.

How long does it take to get from one side of Malta to the other?

In around one hour, you can cross the island of Malta in one direction by bus or car, covering a distance of around 27km long and 14.5km wide. As there is a lack of vast open spaces, the special thing is the changes of landscapes in that short time, where you will likely move from quiet communities and little bays, to beaches and bustling small cities.

Getting Around Malta

Best Transportation in the Maltese Islands?

The Malta bus network is a prime option for most visitors, and there’s a great hop-on-hop-off tourist bus system where you can reach all the island’s main points.

However, with a car, the more avid island explorers can uncover more of magnificent Malta.

Driving in Malta

To embark on a Malta road trip, you must be a great driver since the Maltese roads can be a little tricky to navigate. Luckily for me, one of my best travel buddies is from here, so I had my own local tour guide to show me around, get my bearings and understand the workings of the road (and Maltese drivers) better.

Is Malta Safe?

It is considered safe to travel in Malta, having had no known conflict activities or history of terrorist attacks. I felt safe and at ease both in the secluded and hidden parts of Malta and in the more bustling areas like St. Julian’s, where the worst thing you might see is a typical drunken outburst.

Where to stay in Malta

Malta City Living

Valletta will likely be your main base or the first area you explore on Malta island. One of the most wonderful things about Valletta is that you can experience the one dominant noble excellence of living by staying in a ‘Palazzo’ such as the Palazzo Prince d’Orange – a beautiful 17th-century apartment hotel where I stayed that’s right near to the harbour.

READ MORE: About Palazzo in Malta for further information.

Malta Beach Side

If you want to spend some days beachside, the Mellieha Bay and Sliema resort areas are considered top choices to find a base.

In the village of Mellieha, the Pergola Hotel & Spa is good value for money, just 15 minutes walk to the beach and with views to the islands of Gozo and Comino, as well as the surrounding bay.

In Sliema, check out the D Townhouse Boutique suites – a modern furnished less than 10 minutes from the beach and ferry terminal and a popular choice which quickly sells out.

Best Places to Visit in Malta  – In the South of the Island

My road trip expedition allowed me to pull together this Malta attractions guide with 20 of the best places to visit around the island, including some of Malta’s hidden places.

Use this map of Malta as a reference to plan out your journey.

The Fortified City of Valletta (1)

Opulent Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and missing this magnificent walled city built by the Knights of St John is impossible. A true cultural and historical hub, the city of Valletta is exquisite in design, and it’s no wonder it was the European Capital of Culture 2018 and the top of all the Malta sights.

Its navigable streets are lined with markets and complemented by manicured gardens. All around you are beautiful balconies and grand noble houses. The old city retains its fort, harbour, and historical structures like churches, theatres and the Grandmaster’s Palace.

A bustling café culture, al fresco dining options and reinvented boutique bars fill the gaps in between. This guide to Valletta goes into more detail about what to see and do there.

The Three Villages of Malta (2)

Balzan, Attard and Lija form “The Three Villages” of Malta, which sit within the centre of the island. While not overly abundant on sites, this is a quiet and picturesque area to drive through, lined with classical structures and the San Anton Palace and Gardens, which accommodates the Presidential Palace to this day.

Medieval Mdina or “The Silent City” (3)

You can take a horse and cart ride around the old walled capital of Malta, which is full of architectural goodness, but I opted to walk and admire it more closely.

Mdina is also home to the best chocolate cake on the island, which can be found at the Fontanella Tea Gardens – be sure to get a good seat to secure a sweeping view of the island.

Arab Rabat for the Best Pastizzi in Malta (4)

Another architecturally rich town that was once a suburb of old Mdina. It’s also where you can find the Catacombs of St Paul – a slightly spooky but fascinating underground explorer’s haven.

Rabat is also home to the BEST pastizzi (delicious cheese and pea-filled pastries) on the island, as recommended by locals. Look out for ‘Crystal Palace’ next to the car park between Mdina and Rabat, just across from the Roman Villa.

Dingli Cliffs Hiking Hotspot (5)

One of the best viewpoints on Malta is from the Dingli Cliffs. The best way to experience the panorama is on wheels. Hire a Segway from Segway Malta and roll along the stunning coastline. This is also a top hiking spot for the ramblers on the island.

Ghar Lapsi for Maltese Nature (6)

You’ll soon find the spot on your journey along the Dingli Cliffs where you can capture the view of Filfa Island in the distance, stumble upon the temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra or, if you are lucky, find the local hideaway and hidden beauty of Ghar Lapsi.

Zebbug Local Maltese Village (7)

If you are keen to see Malta’s local life at its best, Zebbug is a good insight into a secluded area of Malta that visitors never frequent.  For a real village atmosphere, visit the town in the first week of June when the feast dedicated to St. Philip is underway and traditional music, food and fireworks are in full swing.

Marsaxlokk Fishing Village (8)

This pretty fishing village of Marsaxlokk is great just to come and look at the traditional boats that fill the water. And the coffee is VERY cheap. Overall, a peaceful hangout with a colourful view of the island’s south.

Senglea With a Window to Valletta (9)

Even if you have little time to wander around quiet Senglea, head to the Gardjola at the tip of the inlet to get to a gorgeous viewpoint of Valletta and the port. Along with Vittoriosa and Cospicua, these three fortified cities provide insight into Malta’s long history with the Knights of St John.

Sliema, But Only for the View (10)

I wasn’t a fan of Sliema – Malta’s modern island addition that somewhat ruins its classic skyline. However, staying away completely means missing out on Tignepoint – a breathtaking view of Valletta which glistens at sunset.

Mosta Dome (11)

Mosta Dome is the fourth-largest unsupported dome in the World, known for surviving an air raid in 1942 where two bombs bounced off the dome, and another went through, hit the statue of Jesus, landed amongst the congregation and did not explode. A local miracle and a much-loved landmark.

What to See in Malta – In the North of the Island

Paceville (12)

Pumping Paceville, with its bars, nightclubs and restaurants, marks out the St Julian’s Bay area as the place to be when your day of sightseeing ends. It’s young, fun, and verging on the side of tacky (in parts).

Those who spend their holidays in St Julian’s Bay may not necessarily be here for the Malta culture. Still, you too might have to admit liking it just a little, especially if you score a restaurant balcony with a harbour view.

Bugibba and Qawra Village (13)

Once farmer towns and fisherman’s villages, Bugibba and Qawra are now busy tourist hotspots on the island. However, the promenade offers a lovely walk during the summer evenings, where you can capture some beautiful shots of the surrounding vista.

Mistra Bay (14)

You need to detour off the main road to reach Mistra bay; once you pass Xemxija and enter the valley, be sure to follow the small signs signalling the winding roads to Mistra Bay, where you will gain access to what is more of a local hangout.

For the more adventurous out there, following the coastline northbound by foot allows you to peer into a once-fortified turret, capture close-up shots of St. Paul’s Island and follow one of the many hiking trails in the area.

Gnejna Bay Local Beach (15)

Gnejna Bay is small, cosy and out of the way, although when I arrived here, it was very windy, and the waves were choppy. However, catch this area on a good day, and you’ll soon see it’s a secluded spot to escape the crowds and hang out with the locals.

Joe, the resident car park attendant, has been working at the beach for roughly 20 years and is a great source of insider information about the area.

Ghajn Tuffieha Natural Beauty (16)

The beach at Ghajn Tuffieha will lure you in as soon as you see it from up high. Don’t be put off by the many steps leading down to its sandy shores because this area is just too gorgeous to miss and has one of the best beaches in Malta.

Golden Bay Viewpoint (17)

Head to one of the viewpoint restaurants and enjoy the view. It’s that simple in Malta. Golden Bay attracts the younger crowd during the summer months, and it tends to be the busiest of the four mentioned beaches.

Mellieha Bay Beach Time (18)

Add Mellieha Bay to your list if you are not bored with beaches and bays.  Perfect to try out water sports and work on the tan, there are half a dozen amazing ice cream vendors here too.

The Red Tower Area Secluded Viewpoint (19)

Looking over the entire north end of Malta, the Red Tower provides 360 views across both land and sea. Set up as part of the defence strategy of the islands, it is open on certain days of the year (check the Heritage Malta website regularly), and access to the Red Tower is as simple as the rest of Malta – once you see it, you can drive straight to it.

A Little Chapel With a Difference (20)

Situated on the opposite side of the Red Tower, this area known as L-Ahrax is commonly used for cliff camping since the area provides a stunning view over Mellieha Bay to one side and Comino on the other. Following the road to the tip, you’ll come across a little chapel – this mix of culture and scenic beauty gives Malta its unique persona.

Is Malta Worth Visiting?

Before my Malta trip was planned, I didn’t know much about it beyond the British connections and had longed to visit my friend there for a long time. I was initially invited to come and explore as part of the ‘Blog Island Malta’ campaign – a huge drive by Malta tourism and the main Maltese airline, Air Malta (who can get you in and out of the island via a variety of European destinations) – before staying on longer to explore more in-depth.

I soon saw that Malta travel is more than its main draw, Valletta (which is incredible), but about a small island of sizable variety – in landscape, architecture, history, culture, and cuisine.

One end of the island differs from the next, and you can switch from a walled city to a tiny tucked-away village and from a bustling beach to a secluded cove within minutes. It doesn’t get more diverse than that, and that’s not even considering Malta’s sister islands of Gozo and Comino.

I may have been invited, but all opinions remain my own. I spent extra time living with a local friend and exploring the island in order to gather further information for this article. I make no admissions in highlighting the areas I wasn’t too fond of (because I am a history and architecture geek, and modern sprawl doesn’t make the cut).